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Dear Editor,

For the past 39 years it has been my privilege to know Bill Jenkins. Bill is one of the kindest souls I have ever met. I’ve heard it said of people that they would give you the shirt off their back. Bill is one person for whom that is literally true. Bill Jenkins would rather freeze than see you freeze. He doesn’t ask how much money you have, what color your skin is, or what you can do for him. That’s not the way he thinks. Bill sees a fellow human being in need, and does what he can to help.

My wife, Janet, carried mail for almost 32 years in Rice, traversing into three counties. If she found herself stranded on the road and I was not available, she knew exactly who she could count on. If Bill couldn’t get there he would find somebody who could. He was always ready to lend a hand.

One day my wife was met at a mailbox by an elderly African-American woman who asked if she could bring her a cheese sandwich the next day. Janet asked her what she had to eat now, and the lady told Janet, “Starch”. She was making a paste of flour and water. That’s all she had. Her house had no electricity and no running water. After calling social services and being told that they do not solicit clients, Janet went to Jenkins store to buy food for her. As she shared the story with Bill, he took it on to bring her the food, not just that day, but continued to do so, seeing to her needs. He even thought to bring her a transistor radio with batteries so that she could have some contact with the outside world.

That’s just one small story of the Bill Jenkins I am proud to call friend. He’s provided housing for the homeless, food for the hungry, and dignity for all.

People of Rice, I ask you, how many of you have turned to Bill over the years in need of something? I am asking this time for us to give him our support. Bill’s goal in running for re-election to the Board of Supervisors, is to help this county move forward, to make this a place that is welcoming, that industry wants to come to, and that people are proud to call home. He provides a voice of reason that considers all sides and seeks fair answers to the many problems that face us in such a highly politicized environment. We need people like Bill Jenkins working for us.

I urge you to vote for Bill Jenkins for Board of Supervisors for Locket District.

Richard Stoner

Rice